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1908 REO Model G

Roadster
Chassis number: 14882

Ransom Eli Olds was successful in selling his Curved Dash Oldsmobile, but when he resisted dropping it in favor of a more modern, expensive automobile he was forced out of his own company. A few months after leaving he created his own company named R.E. Olds Company. The name was later changed to REO Motor Company, using his initials, after Olds' principal investor, Samuel Smith, complained.

The REO Company manufactured automobiles and trucks from 1905 through 1936. Their first car was completed in October of 1904 and shown a few months later at the New York show in January 1905. The model lineup consisted of a sixteen-horsepower twin-cylinder car that had a base price of $1,250 and a single-cylinder car priced at $650. This put them in the Olds Curved Dash price range which made management at Olds nervous, as the REO was a lot more car. By 1906, REO sales surpassed Oldsmobile's. In 1907, it was one of the top four automobile manufacturers in the United States, based on sales. After 1908, the demise of the REO Company began due to competition from Ford and General Motors. Their single-cylinder cars would continue in production until 1910.

This 1908 Reo Model G Roadster was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $6,000 - $12,000 and offered without reserve. Its selling price surpassed the estimated value, settling at $16,500 including the buyer's premium.

The car is powered by a horizontal L-head single-cylinder engine that displaces 106.3 cubic inches and produces eight horsepower. There is a two-speed planetary transmission and two-wheel mechanical drum brakes. It was given a cursory restoration many years ago and it has degraded since. Its red paint has dulled, the black fenders have some wrinkles, and the seat's leather has hardened. The body and chassis appear to be in good condition. The car is fitted with E & J side lamps.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 15580

After quarrels with his principal investor, Samuel Smith, and a final blow-up with Fred Smith in mid-1904, Ransom Olds was forced out of the company that he founded and that bore his name. He was unable to use the Olds name on future automobiles. In August of 1904, he founded the R.E. Olds Motor Car Company, changing it to REO Motor Car Company, after the Smiths complained about the breach of their trademark.

That October, the first REO was completed and exhibited at the New York Show in January 1905. Power was from a 16-horsepower, twin-cylinder engine and sold for $1,250. This was soon joined by a smaller single-cylinder model, with an engine half its size and priced at a reasonable $650. REO sales soon surged ahead of Oldsmobile's in 1906, reaching more than $4 million in 1907.

This particular example is a Model G Roadster. It was formerly part of the Pres Blake collection. It is finished in green with pinstriping, black upholstery, with black fenders, and red wheels.

by Dan Vaughan